BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State had several top 10 finishes at the UAB Blazer Invitational Friday at the Birmingham Crossplex, including a few top finishes in the first meet back after the Christmas break.
 
Gregory Thigpen led all of the student-athletes in action for Alabama State, taking the top spot in the 5000-meter run with a time of 16:31.11. He finished just over two seconds ahead of Vincent Iangat of Jackson State.
 
The Hornets had several top five finishes in the meet led by Jamie Brown (fourth) in the long jump with a distance of 7.20 meters (23-07.50). He finished just .02 meters from third and .03 meters from second place in the meet. Josh Davis finished seventh in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.80 seconds (just .05 seconds from fourth), while Caesar Kemp finished seventh in the shot put with a distance of 15.33 meters (50-03.50).
 
Marquis Nelson and Terrance Adams each finished ninth in their events, with Nelson finished with a distance of 15.14 meters (49-08.25) in the weight throw and Adams with a time of 8.35 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles (just outside of the top eight to qualify for the finals).
 
Thigpen finished in the top 10 in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:45.65, while the 4x400-meter relay team finished 10th with a time of 3:20.12.
 
Meanwhile, on the women's side, Desire' Horn finished fifth in the long jump with a distance of 5.63 meters (18-05.75) – just .03 meters from fourth. China Reed finished in the top 10 in a pair of events, finishing eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 11.63 meters (38-02.00) and 10th in the long jump with a distance of 5.34 meters (17-06.25).
 
Hayley Spears finished sixth in the 5000 meters for the Lady Hornets with a time of 20:38.28. while, Arion Span finishing eighth in the one-mile run with a time of 5:09.90. Shamaria Lovett finished just outside of the top eight in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.74 seconds, while Charminiqu Hackney finished just outside of the top eight in the event with a time of 7.56 seconds.
 
The 4x400-meter relay team finished 10th in the meet with a time of 3:56.29 to wrap up the day's competition.
 
Alabama State returns to action Saturday at the Vulcan Invitational at the Birmingham Crossplex.
 
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